Designated Hitter
Designated Hitter
Games
Birth year
When David Ortiz arrived in Boston following the 2002 season, the Red Sox had gone 84 seasons without a World Series title.
By the time Ortiz retired after 14 years with the Red Sox, Boston had three championships. And Ortiz was a major storyline in each one of them, slugging his way into history as one of the greatest designated hitters the game has known.
Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.
Designated Hitter
Designated Hitter
Games
Birth year
The path was never easy for Edgar Martinez, and no part of his career seemed to arrive on schedule.
But in the end, it was all there: Eighteen years in the big leagues, historic numbers at the plate – and a plaque in Cooperstown.
Born Jan. 2, 1963, in New York City, and raised in Dorado, Puerto Rico, Martinez fell in love with baseball at an early age and learned the game with his cousin, future big leaguer Carmelo Martínez.
Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.
Designated Hitter
Designated Hitter
Games
Birth year
At its most basic level, baseball is a hitter’s game. Hits equal runs, and runs equal wins.
And at every turn, Harold Baines parlayed his ability to hit into baseball stardom.
“The guy could flat-out hit,” said Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.
Baines began his professional baseball career as the No. 1 pick in the 1977 amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. As the story goes, future Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck first saw Baines at a Little League game when he was 12, then followed his career until he was eligible for the draft.
Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.
